A. M. We hitched up and had battery drill for two
hours under Lieutenant Clark. The drilling was rather poor, many
blunders. Clark is not as good a drillmaster as Dillon, not enough
vivacity and life. 12th Battery was out also. All quiet in front, men
working on the R. R. opposite here. Expect the cars up soon. After
dinner E. W. E., B. F. Blake and myself went into the woods after
walnuts. Found them in plenty about a mile out, cracked all we could eat
and returned with two bags full, with blackened fingers and plenty of
fun. "Special Artillery Order No. 1" from Captain Dillon was read to us
at evening roll call by Orderly Sergeant Hood in regard to Confederate
clothing, none of which is allowed to be worn.

[Sidenote: 1863 Camp Amusements]

Dickson Station, Wednesday, Oct. 28. A beautiful day. Three teams sent
out after forage. E. W. E. went on detail. Our camp was lively during
the day, the boys having bought a pair of boxing gloves, and they were
continuously in use. After retreat squads were gathered around the camp
fire telling tales of the past and talking of pleasant anticipations to
come. It was a beautiful balmy evening and the night was far spent
before I betook myself to sleep, but to-morrow we march.

Chickasaw, Ala., Thursday, Oct. 29. We were called up long before
daylight, the stars brightly shining, and all was indicative of an early
move, camp fires blazing brightly in all directions, baggage wagons
a-moving and orderlies flying back and forth, but our place was in the
rear to-day, so we took our time. Piled all the corn my horses could eat
before them, cleaned them, then shelled my nose-bags full for the march.
By that time--had a splendid breakfast ready of fresh meat, sweet
potatoes and fried crackers. Harnessed and hitched up by seven; was on
the road by 7 A. M., but as the Division train was to go ahead of us, we
were delayed considerable before we got under way. Frequent and heavy
booms of cannonading could be plainly heard to the east, with a distant
roll of musketry, and we knew not but we were going into a fight. But we
took a road leading directly north, crossing the railroad. We marched
slow, frequent halts in the fore part of the day. Our course was
northwest through poor country, hilly, timbered with scrub oak and pine,
the road crooked and very stony. Passed but few houses and these of the
poor rickety-log kind such as a well to do farmer would not put his
horse in. Clearings small